Pollensa Forum - TRIP REPORT: Our 10 days in October

I don't often write a Trip Report as most of my 'trips' are rather short but this time we were in PP for 10 days - the longest stay for a long time - so I thought why not?

Day 1 - we arrived on a Friday evening and as usual chose somewhere easy for our first night. We often go to Brisa Marina for their Set Menu, which used to be such good value at 14 EUR, especially as we like their fresh fish. Unfortunately this visit was disappointing. The set menu is now around 18 EUR and to be honest didn't taste as good. Both my soup and sea bass did not have much flavour and the house wine is pretty horrible. However they did make up for it on our last meal (see Day 10)

Day 2 - Sat night - we had a lovely meal out with Sparky and Mr Sparky at O'Lume. Rain had been threatened but kept away so we could sit out in the courtyard. We all ate well - S. (my husband) and I really enjoyed the lamb chops. For starters I had the Quail salad and S. was very impressed with his seafood kebab. And of course we enjoyed a lot of white wine (!), preceded by cocktails and ended the night with hierbas and the tasty frozen chocolates. A very good night.

Day 3 - Sun lunch - the weather was a bit iffy so we chose to go for the Lunch Set Menu at El Posito - at 15 EUR on a Sunday (10 EUR during the week) it is a bargain and very good food as well. If you haven’t booked, you need to arrive by 1 on a Sunday (and even earlier during the week). We both had the paella for starters, S. had Lechona (suckling pig) and I had Sepia (cuttlefish). For dessert, I would have chosen my favourite ‘Mallorcan Pudding’ but they were offering slices of an enormous ensaimada filled with a custard cream. I normally wouldn't go for this but I'm glad I did. It was lovely and very light. We looked at the evening menu and thought about returning (which we did the next night!).

Day 4 - Monday was a domestic day - our anticipated walk on Dragonera Island was cancelled first due to a broken-down minibus and then bad weather - so instead it was a bank visit, replacement of our 15 year old iron which had finally died, waiting in for the aircon man who did not show - and a trip to Formentor beach which started off blisteringly hot and ended with a massive storm and downpour. Luckily we got to the cafe in time and watched the lightning whilst drinking coffee. Have given up on the aircon man, we ventured out at 7:30 and made for El Posito. We were really lucky to get a table without booking and saw several people being turned away especially larger parties.. We shared starters of tumbet and pimientos de padron and then both had different cod dishes. Mine was Cod El Posito with more peppers on top and very, very good. Such a shame we’ll miss their upcoming ‘Cod Fortnight’. Other diners were enjoying lechona and shoulders of lamb (often ordered in advance).

Day 5 - Tuesday - forum meeting at Casa Manolo. Later that evening, for the very first time in Mallorca, we went for an Indian and tried Mirch Massala, as recommended by fill6699, and he was right. It was excellent. We chose Set Menu B (as advised by Phil!) at 16.95 EUR for 3 courses (or 14.95 for 2) plus papadom and chutneys and wine, beer or sangria. There was something very surreal about sitting outside on a warm evening eating Chicken Jalfrezi washed down by a glass of Sangria but it worked and I would definitely go there again. The food was freshly cooked, you could taste the herbs and sauces were light without any of the ‘gloopiness’ that you can get at UK curry houses. We decided against dessert and instead had coffee at Cappuccino just around the corner but with a much better view and I love their Almond Latte!

Day 6 - Wednesday - Today we decided on the Set Lunch at Casa Vila - another favourite for lunch and evening meals.. I think the Menu Del Dia is only offered at lunchtimes & is 10 EUR on weekdays - a little more at weekends. It changes daily but there are normally 2 starters, Mains of fish or meat or a choice of 3 pizzas plus dessert. Drinks are extra. That day’s selection was good - bruschetta or home-made tagliatelle to start, liver or our favourite fish llampuga, several types of pizza which were enormous (but they will box up leftovers for you!) followed by a gorgeous dessert of carpaccio of pineapple (very thin slices) topped with coconut ice cream (sort of Pina Colada flavour).

Day 7 - Thursday - a day in Pollensa town. First a very welcome Thai Massage from Alison at Thai Massage Mallorcs (she’s also featured in this week’s Talk of the North) to help me recuperate from our jaunt up the Puig de Maria the previous day (I didn’t find it too easy!). We just had ice creams there but I’d like to try the restaurant. Has anyone eaten there? Apparently locals troop up there on Sundays for paella.

We intended to have lunch at Celler El Moli, another old favourite, but they were closed for some reason. I thought hard about where else had been mentioned on the forum and remembered Trencadora. The interior of El Moli is fascinating but sitting out in the courtyard at Trencadora reminded us yet again of the variety of places to eat in both the port and town. We shared a large plate of bruschetta for starters, I had a rather spicy Sicilian pasta and S. had this most enormous salad inside a puffed up flat bread. The dark bread that they served with olives was very tasty with a sort of malty flavour. They sell it inside. Unfortunately we didn’t need any more bread but next trip… Fortified we tackled the Calvario - all 365 steps.

And as it was Thursday, it must be on to the Tapas Route. First stop La Roda - their Tapas have always been excellent. This time I had a sort of spicy, coconut flavoured chicken leg - yum. We wondered about and decided to try the new Bellini on the square, run by the owners of Laroc, but the food is quite different. Their tapas were tiny but exquisite. One was a sort of Vol Au Vent with prawns and I’m afraid I’ve forgotten the other. We had to have two but moved on to sparkling water instead of wine for the second glass. As we learnt at our third stop Rumbo, you can sometimes ask for more tapas for 1 EUR each. When we arrived a guy was loading up a plate with 5 or 6. We went for a glass of pretty good red wine and 2 tapas each - Mrs Rumbo makes exceedingly good tapas.

By 10pm we fancied something sweet. Unfortunately pancakes at La Celtika weren’t to be as the kitchen was closed so it was back to Cappuccino for coffee and apple tart.
So it cost us 9 EUR each for the tapas and nearly the same again for the coffee and cake but still a pretty good deal for a great evening!

Day 8 - Friday - the day of our excellent Rural Mallorca excursion which I’ll review separately. Lunch was Pa Amb Oli (prepared by ourselves), barbecued chicken and pork with trampo, bread and all washed down with local wine and followed by portions of melon.

Day 9 - Sat - our last night and we chose Centric. We went in during the day to book a table outside for that evening (and for our our lunch at brisa Marina the next day). Food as ever at Centric was excellent even if the menu doesn’t change very much. As mentioned elsewhere Centric offer the Mortitx Flaires rose wine and it was very, very drinkable. Unfortunately they only had 2 or 3 bottles left so some of you may be unlucky. We also managed to to purchase one of the last ones from Ensenyat in Pollensa town for about 10 EUR. For starters we shared Gyozas (Japanese dumplings) and the fish (think it was cod) ceviche. They were both divine - pricey but worth it. And then followed with the renown Argentinian steak with chimichurri sauce. We've had this several times but it’s a winner each time.

Final Day 10 - Sunday was our last day but as our flight didn’t leave until 10pm, we just had to do a Spanish Sunday lunch and go for paella. Based on forum recommendations we went for Brisa Marina. Booking is absolutely essential for this as the place was absolutely packed and mainly with locals nearly all having paella. At only 11.50 EUR pp, it’s quite a bargain too. We shared a plate of pimientos padron and croquettas to start - but there is no need - there’s plenty of paella.

Special mention must also go to Dolc Sa Pobla, the bakery/cafe behind the square, who provided us with several second breakfasts of fresh orange juice, coffee and croissants. Other lunches and suppers were supplied by Hiper supermarket.

So that was our trip, roll on the next one.